Meet Our Dedicated Team of Professionals
At Sandhills Credit Union, our success is driven by the unwavering commitment and expertise of our exceptional employees. Our team is comprised of passionate professionals who are dedicated to providing outstanding financial services and building meaningful relationships with our members.
Executive Leadership
Rebecca Eastwood, Acting CEO
Rebecca Eastwood, serving as Acting CEO, has been with Sandhills Credit Union for over 10 years, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic insight. Her extensive background in financial management and her deep understanding of the credit union’s mission makes her uniquely qualified to lead the organization during this transition period. Rebecca’s vision for the future of Sandhills Credit Union centers around enhancing member services, embracing technological advancements, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement.
Nicole Stimson, Chief Operating Officer, Vice CEO
nicole.stimson@sandhillscu.com
Nicole Stimson, COO/Vice CEO, has a distinguished career spanning 20 years in operations and organizational development. Nicole has been an integral part of the Sandhills Credit Union team for over two decades, where she has successfully overseen numerous projects aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and improving member experiences. Her role as COO/Vice CEO will focus on streamlining processes, driving operational excellence, and supporting Rebecca in executing the strategic objectives of the credit union.
Lending Team
Pam Ristau, Manager of Lending
Pam has over 40 years of experience with in-depth knowledge and expertise in commercial and agricultural lending. Pam has earned strong and loyal relationships with her members by providing sound and trusted financial advice for many years. As Manager of Lending, Pam is the senior lender in the branch and as a natural and engaged mentor, Pam leads the lending team with enthusiasm, a strategic mindset and with the Sandhills Credit Union’s core values at the forefront. When asked about Pam, her members have said “Pam understands my business and truly cares about my financial wellbeing.”
Bobbi Sitter, Senior Lending Officer
Bobbi joined Sandhills Credit Union in September 2008, and since then, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence and professional growth. Throughout her tenure, Bobbi has held various roles within the credit union, including MSR, Administration Officer, Lending Clerk, and most recently, Lending Officer 1. Her experience and expertise have been instrumental in the success of our lending operations.
One of Bobbi’s remarkable qualities is her continuous pursuit of knowledge and professional development. She has earned certifications in Ag Financial Analysis, Commercial and Financial Analysis, and Law of Lending in the Ag Sector. Currently, she is working diligently towards her certification in Professional and Business Development with the Canadian Credit Union Association. Bobbi’s dedication to expanding her skills and staying updated with industry trends demonstrates her commitment to providing exceptional service to our members.
Bobbi’s passion lies in working on agricultural and commercial deals, where she truly excels. Her deep understanding of these sectors, combined with her expertise in financial analysis, makes her an invaluable asset to our organization and our members. Furthermore, her personal background growing up on a grain and cattle family farm provides her with a unique perspective and insight into the needs of our agricultural members.
Beyond her professional achievements, Bobbi is an active and engaged member of our community. In 1995, she moved to Leader to pursue figure skating, and to this day, she dedicates her time to coaching the Leader Skating School kids. Her commitment to supporting the growth and development of young skaters demonstrates her exceptional character and community spirit.
Miranda Hanna, Lending Services Clerk
Miranda has 16 years financial experience holding a variation of roles including Member Service Rep, Account Manager and Lending Services Clerk. Miranda has continued her education in the financial services industry by completing courses with Dalhousie University and the Canadian Credit Union Association. Community values are important to Miranda and she dedicates a lot of her own time volunteering and contributing to the Leader community.
Member Services
Cora Walker, Member Service Supervisor
Cora has been with Sandhills Credit Union for over 20 years, starting as a Member Service Representative and now she leads the Member Service team as the Member Service Supervisor. Cora has accreditations in Member Services, Deposits Services, Fraud Prevention and Cyber Security. Cora leads her team with enthusiasm, compassion, and positivity and is a respected leader amongst her team. Cora and her family are long time members of the Leader Community and Cora is a strong community contributor and advocate, participating in many community boards and organizations over the years. Cora is an avid reader and loves spending time at her family cottage. In her spare time Cora enjoys family time with her husband of over 30 years and 2 grown children, as well as baking, live music, and playing board games and cards.
Cari Wilkinson, Financial Service Officer
Cari brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial services. Prior to joining Sandhills Credit Union in 2018, Cari was at CIBC for 13 years in various roles, including Branch Manager. Cari’s expertise, dedication to the wellbeing of our members, and her kind and generous personality ensures our members not only get a friendly face and an excellent member experience, but Cari offers smart and personalized advice that help our members achieve their financial goals.
Trina Steinkey, Financial Service Officer
During her time with Sandhills Credit Union, Trina has consistently demonstrated her dedication and member-centric approach. Her ability to quickly grasp complex financial concepts and provide exceptional service has made her a valuable asset to our team. Trina’s commitment to our community is also commendable, as she actively participates in volunteer work with 4H and the local library, among other endeavours. Trina is a proud mother of three daughters, Ella, Danielle, and Jaycee, and together with her husband, they enjoy the serenity of their family acreage. Their shared passion for animals extends to their chickens and horses, which bring them joy during their cherished family time.
Penny Sheldon, Senior Member Service Representative
Penny has been an integral part of our team for nearly four years, serving as a dedicated Member Service Representative. Her prior experience in the financial services industry with CIBC has equipped her with valuable knowledge and expertise. Penny’s infectious laughter and unwavering positive outlook bring absolute joy to both our members and our team. Her commitment to providing exceptional service has made her an invaluable asset to Sandhills Credit Union. Beyond her professional achievements, Penny is deeply rooted in the Leader community. She, along with her family, has been a proud member of our community for 20 years. As a devoted wife, mom, and grandma, Penny cherishes her time spent with loved ones. When she finds a moment of free time, she enjoys activities such as planting flowers, camping, painting, doing cross stitch, and embracing the great outdoors with her fur-baby.
